Table construction



April 1944- w. A. HILLENBRAND 2,346,919

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Fi led Oct. 51, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. :4 7W W /Wl W ATTORNEYfi April 18, 1944. .w. A. HILLENBQRAND TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 31, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1\N\\\\\. 4 x 7m 2 E1 -w I 1 g 12 INVENTOR. m 4. )WM My 2444 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 18, 1944 TABLE CONSTRUCTION William A. Hillenbrand, Batesville, Ind., asslgnor to Hill-Rom Company, Inc., Batesville, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application October 31, 1941, Serial No. 417,234

9 Claims. (Cl. 311-106) This invention relates to tables and is particularly directed to an improved table top structure preferably for use in overbed tables of the type used in hospitals. Although the top structure of this invention has great utility in overbed tables,

- it is not intended to limit the invention to this use.

It is highly desirable that an overbed table be usable for a wide variety of purposes. The occupant of a hospital bed may want to read or write and the table should include means in the top structurefor these purposes. In the case of men, it is also desirable that the table afford means which will enable the man, whether lying down or sitting up, to shave or do other things requiring-the use of a mirror. Furthermore, it is desirable that the woman patient be able to illustrating the adjustable element arranged for use as a mirror.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33, Figure 2, showing the top structure arranged for ordinary use; that is, with the adjustable element flush with the top.

Figure4 is a sectional view taken similarly to Figure 3, showing the adjustable element arranged so as to constitute a book rest.

10. Figure 5 is a view taken similarly to Figure 3,

but showing the element arranged so as to serve utilize the table as a vanity. Thus, thetable must have a structure permitting a great deal of flexibility in use and capable of functioning for a wide range of purposes.

Accordingly, it has been the object of the present inventor to provide a table top structure particularly adaptable for use in overbed tables, which top structure is adapted to be disposed over the bed in front of the patient and incorporates an adjustable element usable as a book rest or as a mirror, which element may be adjusted to a wide range of positions convenient to the accupant of the bed, whether the occupant is lying down or sitting up.

It has been a further object of the present inventor to further improve the structure of the top wherein it incorporates a tray in relation to the adjustable element wherein these elements are assembled in eiiicient and compact arrangement, and wherein the elements may be placed so that the table presents a perfectly fiat or flush top for ordinary use.

Other objects relate to the construction of the stops or adjustment .means for the mirror or book rest, to the provision of means for retaining a book in position on the book rest, and to the mounting of the tray in the framework supporting the table top.

Other objects and certain advantages will be more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a pers tive view showing the improved top structure incorporated in the style of overbed table known as the single pedestal type and showing the top arranged for reading.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a table showing the top in detail and as a mirror for a person lying down in bed.

Figure 7 is a view taken similarly to Figure 3 illustrating a further variation in the adjustment of the mirror and illustrating the flexibility of the structure.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the top structure, a portion thereof being broken away for more fully illustrating the tray structure.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure 8, detailing the frame structure for supporting the top and illustrating the top arrangement generally.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary front view of a table illustrating the adjustable element for retaining a book on the book rest.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line I, Figure 8, further detailing the structure.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line l2-l2, Figure 9, detailing the structure of the stop means for the adjustable rest and mirror element.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on line I3-l3, Figure 6, detailing the structure for pivotally connecting the combined rest and mirror element to one of its adjustment links.

Although the improved top structure is shown as incorporated in a table of the single pedestal or post typ it is apparent that this structure may be supported at both ends. The environment shown has been selected merely for illustration. The detailed description in this specification will be devoted to the top structure and only a general description is given as to the construction of the table apart from the top.

Referring to the drawings, the base l5 of the table is of broadened H form. It includes a central rail [6 and end rails I'l-ll. The end rails include casters It at their respective ends. A base bracket I9 is fixed at the intersection of the element IS with one or the end members I1 and a sectional post structure 20, consisting of telescoping rectangular tubes, rises from this bracket.

A bracket 2| is fixed at the top of the post and incorporates means for raising and lowering the top through the telescoping post structure. This means is operated through a crank 22. LAD. arm 23, consisting of a tube, projects horizontally outwardly from the bracket 2| and has the entire top structure mounted thereon.

The frame supporting the top is constituted by a length of strip material 24 heat into rectangular form in plan view and having its upper edge 25 presenting a horizontal surface upon and to which the table top is attached. This frame is welded to the arm 23. The adjacent ends of the strip 24 are welded to th opposite sides of the arm as at 26 for attaching the frame at one end. The outer end or the arm abuts the inner face of the other end of the frame and is welded thereto as at 21.

In view of the fact that the tray portion and certain of the stop means depend from the bottom of the top proper over a substantial area thereof, the arm is ofiset or bent as at 28 so as to extend across the structure toward the rear thereof.

Basically, the top consists of three elements. One of these is a central element 29 disposed along the table top and forming the back portion thereof. The other two are end sections 30 disposed crosswise of the frame and having their inner edges disposed adjacent the end edges of the section 29, but slightly spaced therefrom by means of spacer plates 3l-3l. These sections are fastened to the rectangular frame by means of angle iron brackets 32, there being several employed for each section. The rest of the top is constituted by the combination book rest and mirror element 33. As illustratedrthis adjustable element normally rests in a position where its top is flush with the top of the table and fills out the space between the'end members 30 in front oi the back section 29.

In order to create a depression for receiving the tray beneath the adjustable book rest and mirror element 33, a sheet metal stamping is utilized and is identified as a dished element 34. This element includes a rear flange 35 resting on top of the tubulw arm 23 between the back section and the arm. The back is additionally fastened to this flange. The end flanges 36-36 of this dished element extend beneath the respective mar ins of the end elements and are attached thereto by means of screws.

The forward flange 31, which is horizontally disposed, rests against the forward run of the rectangular frame. The bottom of this dished element is flush with the lower edge of the rectangular frame. These flanges 36 are of substantial width and extend toward each other from beneath the end elements 30-30 a sufficient disstance for supporting the respective stop or abutment members 38-38.

The members 38-38 consist of elongated strips of rubber extending from the forward run of the rectangular frame along the flanges and abutting the back wall of the dished element. Thus, they lie beneath the end margins of the adjustable book rest and mirror element and serve to support this element when it is flush with the table top. The stops or abutments 3838 in each cas provide a series of cross notches 40 adjacently arranged as between the respective abutment members. These notches are distributed along the lengths of the strips in accordance with the positions desired for the adjustable book rest and mirror.

Links "-4! connect the adjustable element to the table top. The links 41- are pivotally anchored at their rear ends to pivot brackets 42 fixed to the intermediate section 29. The brackets 42 include ears extended upwardly between the member 29 and the members 30 to constitute the points for pivotal attachment of the links. The other ends of the links are pivotally attached to points intermediate or central of the end edges of the adjustable book rest and mirror 33. The adjustable element 33 includes pivot brackets 43-43 for this purpose.

The underside of the adjustable element 33 has a mirror 45 fixed thereto by means of a marginal frame 48. This mirror may be of oval form as illustrated.

Within the dished element, a tray 41 is disposed. This tray is usable for various purposes, such as for containing the shaving equipment of the man or the cosmetics or toiletries of the woman. The tray fits between the back and front edges of the dished element between the respective abutment members.

A retaining strip 48 is provided along the forward run of the rectangular frame. The retaining element constitutes a lip when raised, which lip is engaged by the lower edge of a book as shown in Figure 1. It is hung on a pair of screws 49-49 and includes slots traversed by the screws, which slots although generally vertical, terminate in horizontal, slightly upturned portions constituting hooks engaged over the screws when the element is raised. Normally, this retaining lip element is supported in its lowered position so as not to interfere with the various utilities of the top.

In normal use; that is, when used just as a supporting surface, as for example, for serving meals, the top is in the position shown in Figures 3, 8, and 9. In this position, the adjustable book rest and mirror element 33 is disposed with its top, flush with th other sections of the table.

If the occupant of the bed desires to read, the adjustable element is placed as shown in Figures 1 and 4. In this position, the lower edge of the elements rests in the outermost grooves 40 in the stop or abutment means 3838. The book is retained on the rest due to engagement of its lower edge with the adjustable lip or retaining strip 48.

If the occupant of the bed desires to utilize the mirror when in sitting-up position, the element 33 is placed in the position shown in Figure 5. In this position, the element has its lower edge resting in the intermediate grooves of the abutments or stops 38-38.

If the occupant is lying down and desires to use the mirror, the adjustable element 33 is placed as shown in Figure 6. In this position, the lower edge of the element 33 rests in the innermost grooves and the mirror is tipped so that it is effective from a point of vision below the plane of the table top.

A wide range of positions is possible by utilizing the element as shown in Figures 2 and 7. The pivots connecting the links to the element are fairly tightly fastened so that there is a frictional fit tending to hold the element in any set position. Quite obviously, when the element is raised to any of the positions described heretofore, the tray is exposed and is readily accessible as a receptacle for the accessories to shaving or beauti-.

fying.

table or the like, comprising a supporting frame, a

a top, an adjustable top section countersunk in the forward and central portion of said top, means pivotally connecting the adjustable section to the table top and permitting complete rotation of said adjustable section, and abutment means disposed along and beneath said adjustable section and engageable by either longitudinal edge of said adjustable section for holding said section in various different angular posi tions.

2. A top construction for use in an overbed table or the like, comprising a supporting frame, a top, an adjustable top section mounted in the forward and central portion of said top said adjustable top section being pivotally mounted so that it may be completely rotated on its pivot point, abutment elements disposed along and beneath the-respective side edge margins of said adjustable section and including notches for receiving either longitudinal edge of said adjustable section depending on its angular position. means for retaining said top section in angular positions, and said adjustable element including a mirror on one side, whereby said section is adapted to be used either as a mirror or as a book rest depending on its position.

3. A top construction for use in an overbed table or the like, comprising a supporting frame, top sections mounted on said frame, an adjustable top section mounted in the central portion of said top, means pivotally connecting said adjustable section to the table top and permitting complete rotation of said adjustable section, abutment elements disposed along and beneath said adjustable section and engageable by the lower edge of said adjustable section for holding it in set angular position, and said adjustable section including a mirror on one side whereby said section may be used either as a mirror or as a book rest when reversed on said pivot means.

4. A top construction for use in an overbed table or the like, comprising a supporting frame. top sections mounted on said frame, an adjustable top section mounted in the forward and central portion of said top, said adjustable top section being pivotally mounted so as to permit complete rotation thereof, links pivotally connesting intermediate portions of the respective side edges of said adjustable section to the rear portion of the table top, abutment elements disposed along and beneath the respective side edge margins of said adjustable section and including notches for receiving either of the longitudinal edges of said adiustable section in angular positions, said adjustable section including a mirror on one side. whereby said section may be used either as a mirror or as a book. rest when disbeing disposed centrally and being movable, means for supporting said movable element in any one of a series of inclined positions with respect to the table top, and said element including a mirror on one side thereof, said means attaching said element to the table top in pivotal position so that the element can be reversed for either disposing the plain side or the side carrying the mirror, toward the front.

6. A table top construction, comprising end elements, an intermediate back element disposed between the end elements, the arrangement of elements providing an opening centrally of and toward the front of the top, abutment strips mounted parallel with the end elements of the top and and against the inner edges thereof, a top member adapted to lie within the opening and having its top surface disposed flush with the tops of saidend elements, means pivotally mounting said top member, and said abutment strips including cross grooves adapted to receive 9. iongitudinal edge of the movable top member for disposing the same in various angular positions relative to the table top.

7. A table top construction, comprising end elements, an intermediate back element disposed between th end elements, the arrangement of elements providing an opening centrally of and toward the front of the top, rubber strips mounted along the side edges of the opening and beneath the surface of the top, a top member adapted to lie within the opening and having its top surface disposed flush with the tops of said end elements, means pivotally attaching said top member relative to said end elements and intermediate the back element, said rubber strips including cross grooves adapted to receive either of the longi tudinal edges of the movable top member for disposing the same in various angular positions relative to the table top, and a frame for supporting said table top elements.

8. A table top construction, comprising end elements. an intermediate back element disposed between the end elements, the arrangement of elements providing an opening centrally of and toward the front of the top, abutment strips mounted parallel with the end elements of the top and against the inner edges thereof, a top member adapted to lie within the openingwith its top surface normally disposed flush with the tops of said end elements, and means pivotally mounting said top member for permitting complete reversal, said abutment strips including cross grooves adapted to receive either of the longitudinal edges of the movable top member for disposing the same in various angular positions relative to the table top, said top member having a mirror fixed on its lower side for use when said top member is reversed.

9. A table top construction, comprising a supporting frame, top members on said frame including a movable membernormally adapted to lie flat in position to constitute a continuous flat tol surface, means permitting adjustment of the movable member to a series of angular positions, said means consisting of links pivotally connecting the member to the top structure, and notched abutment strips adapted to receive a longitudinal edge of the member, said abutment elements being formed of rubber.

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